Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi insists that star forward Ismael Saibari remains fully focused on the World Cup amid reports he is close to completing a big-money transfer to German champions Bayern Munich.
“We don’t decide the timing of course, but it is not official yet,” Ouahbi told reporters Thursday ahead of his team’s second World Cup Group C game against Scotland at the Gillette Stadium on Friday.
“We are really proud when Moroccan players are able to play for big clubs like Bayern Munich.”
Saibari, 25, scored Morocco’s goal in their opening 1-1 draw with Brazil on Saturday.
Born in Spain and raised in Belgium, he is coming off a season in which he scored 19 goals in all competitions for PSV Eindhoven as they won the Dutch title.
Multiple sources have reported that Bayern have agreed a deal to sign Saibari pending a medical.
“The player is really calm about it all, and I don’t think Bayern have been very aggressive in terms of their communication. He is concentrating on playing for Morocco,” added Ouahbi, who is from Brussels and has a good relationship with Bayern’s Belgian coach.
“I am lucky enough to know Vincent Kompany very well. I think he understands that the priority right now is Morocco, but we will be very proud when it is done and we want the best Moroccan players at the best clubs.”
Saibari has usually played as an attacking midfielder but began the recent Africa Cup of Nations playing off the left wing and has been used through the middle of the attack for his country since Ouahbi was appointed in March.
“He is quick, he is powerful, and he showed against Brazil that he knows how to finish,” said Scotland coach Steve Clarke.